Our individual role in the fight against terrorism

It seems terrorism has come to be of different persuasions, other than the religious kind. It is increasingly used as a tactic by many different types of groups in many parts of the world to further a cause. A terrorist group becomes known as such when it resorts to violent acts in pursuit of an objective or agenda. If we look at each of the terrorist attacks that has taken place, we find that a common thread is the deliberate targeting of civilians mainly for a political purpose. Osama bin Laden’s terrorist outrage killed close to 3,000 civilians at the World Trade Center, and has never stopped such acts since then. Such similar acts have since been referred to as international terrorism. This should not be the case because primary motives of terrorists and those who claim legitimacy as such are of various kinds and reasons and stem from culture, religion and political situation. It worries me that because bombs and explosions have become so frequent across the globe that they have become commonplace. Because of this, terrorists may just get more and more destructive in order to prove their point.

Terrorists intend to sow extreme fear. Mounting a terror attack takes a lot of calculated and intelligent planning. It indicates desperation as it involves a frantic need to catch attention and send a message regardless of the harm inflicted on lives and property. The perpetrators may be under the illusion that a terrorist attack can interrupt something that to them is extremely offensive or evil and sowing terror is the only effective way it can be stopped. Moreover, terrorists are of the belief that succeeding in what they do will save mankind. We will never know the mind of a terrorist, and why he has to resort to such acts to promote a cause or a principle. Some hide behind a cause to get away with revenge or crime.

In recent events locally, experts find it difficult to determine whether an explosion is a terrorist attack. First there was the Glorietta 2 blast. Up to now, it is not definite whether it is an accident or a bomb. Now we have the bombing of the Batasan. Because Congressman Akbar died in the incident, the bombing is being attributed to his political enemies, particularly the Abu Sayyaf, where he used to be a leader. But some find it hard to believe this.

I think a red alert should be raised that is concentrated on top government offices and commercial centers. And security must be undertaken more seriously and professionally. For what kind of government office, the lawmaking body of the land, can settle for less. It was reported that before the bombing took place in Congress, there were tiangges; all sorts of bystanders and spectators were inside the session halls who had actually no business being there. Each government office must seriously maintain safety and security of the occupants in their respective work premises. Let us not wait for a crime to be committed right inside a session hall.

The lesson is we must protect ourselves from those who are criminally-driven who willingly and consciously wreak havoc on society. Any cause may be an evil design in cloak of honor. A sensible and prepared mind can defeat a misguided, destructively aggressive mind. This is vigilance against terrorism. We all have the obligation to individually do everything in our power to prevent terrorist attacks.